Abstract [en]

Abstract

The fairly recent developments of climate change have generated global discussions and debates on how to deal with its consequences. In the area of international law, discussions has circled inter alia around solutions on how to lower states' greenhouse gas emissions; how to assist developing states in the issue; and, as this essay will focus on; how to deal with the future influx of people fleeing these consequences. Climate change involves both rising sea levels, draught, and an increase of natural disasters – all of which are situations which can make places uninhabitable for humans and force them away from their homes.

If one starts to study this area of law, one quickly understands that the legal solutions in place today do not cope with the future danger. The existing regimes do not provide for explicit protection to these migrants and states seem to have a very cautionary approach as to whether they are legally bound to give protection. The present study identifies these gaps in the existing legal framework and examines solutions.

The conclusions made in this study are of the perception that in large, the only obligations that states have in regards as to provide protection to those displaced internally and externally by climate change are those obligations contained in international human rights law. In some specific areas, it provides sufficient protection whereas in the most it does not. Thus, in order to fully protect environmentally displaced people, a new instrument would have to be drafted, providing them with specific legal status and certain rights under public international law.

Keywords:Environmentally Displaced People; Public International Law; International Human Rights Law; International Refugee Law.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages

2013. , p. 56

Keyword [en]

Environmentally Displaced People, Public International Law, International Human Rights Law, International Refugee Law.